'Speed dating' and 'Sexy Summer Jobs' makes Dunedin the place to be for job hunting students

An international award-winning speed-dating networking event that hooks up students with local employers takes place in Dunedin tonight.

It is part of Sexy Summer Jobs, a student internship programme devised by the Dunedin business community, Otago Polytechnic, the University of Otago and the Economic Development Unit at Dunedin City Council.

“The outcomes for our IT students have been fantastic – about 50 percent of them have been offered further work with these companies after their summer internships.”

Now in its fourth year, Sexy Summer Jobs has received international acclaim, last year receiving a Honorary Award from the International Economic Development Council. This year, it is a finalist in the AUT Excellence in Business Support Awards.

Otago Polytechnic has been running CV writing and interview skills workshops for students to help them prepare for the speed dating evening.

The programme initially focused on jobs within the computing and information technology sector, but it now includes other sectors such as business services, fashion and tourism. Employers taking part include Allied Press, Fringe Festival, Oceanbrowser, Tamsin Cooper and Ticket Direct.

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